ticed upon her aged and blind husband.

Mothers,

read it, and learn to guard against sinful contrivances to get good for your children. However, Rebekah was a good, though a mistaken woman.Gen. xxiv.; xxvii.

In Miriam, the watchful sentinel of the ark upon the waters of the Nile which contained the infant Moses, we see first the dutiful daughter and anxious sister, and, in after life, the coadjutor of her illustrious brother, leading the chorus of women by her timbrel and her voice, in the triumphal song of Moses, on the borders of the Red Sea: Exod. ii. xv.; afterward, in conjunction with Aaron, his opponent through envy; but we may hope restored to her better and earlier mind, through the chastisement she received from the Lord.-Numbers xii. How much mischief may envy do to spoil the best of characters, and to poison the happiness of families.

In Deborah, we contemplate the religious heroine, and the inspired poetess, raised up by the special Providence of God, for the deliverance of his people; an instance of exalted piety in an age of depressed religion, and still deeper national distress.-Judges iv.

Should it be asked by any one, what we are to say of Jael, celebrated by the poetess Deborah, in her lofty strain of praise, I scarcely know what answer to give. Nothing less than a Divine mandate, which she may have received in some unknown and unrecorded manner, could have justified the

deed. Apart from this, even the stratagems of war would not clear the heroine from the charge of treachery of the blackest kind. True, Sisera was an enemy, but he had trusted himself to her protection, and she slew him while sleeping under her guardianship. I leave the matter therefore as I find it, without either justifying or condemning, for I know not all the facts of the case.

What a pattern of filial obedience, piety, and patriotism, have we in Jephthah's daughter, over whose affecting story hangs so deep a mystery! Whether, according to the opinions of some, she was actually offered up in sacrifice, or, according to others, only consecrated by perpetual virginity to God, her own beautiful character shines out with equal brightness, in all that is amiable, dutiful, and submissive.

But now turn to that touching and melancholy group of widows in the land of Moab-Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah. What pen but that which has done it, and done it with such inimitable simplicity, could do justice to that sweet and pathetic story. Rarely in the history of families does such a scene of affliction as this occur-a widowed mother, and the widows of her two sons! A sad proof how precarious are all the scenes of dear domestic bliss we fondly call our own. How tender, how dignified, and how thoughtful is the conduct of Naomi. What nobleness of resolution, what daughter-like attachment, and what piety do we see in Ruth; and if in her after-conduct there was that which

would not suit the meridian of our age and country, there was nothing contrary to the strictest purity of intention, or modesty of conduct, if we take into account the circumstances of her time, and the provisions of the Jewish law under which she then lived. The whole narrative presents a beautiful episode in Jewish history, and an attractive specimen of the simplicity of early manners.

Can we fail to sympathize with Hannah in her sorrows, her insults, and her joys, or to admire her zeal for the Lord, in devoting her child of promise to his service?-1 Samuel i. What a pattern for parents, in being willing to give up their sons for ministers and missionaries! Abigail furnishes us with a striking example of the singular prudence of a woman who was unhappily associated with a drunkard and a churl, and of her diligence and her tact in averting from her family the evils impending over it from her husband's vices.-1 Samuel xxv. 1-3.

What an instance of respect, gratitude, and affection, for the ministers of religion-of female influence, rightly exerted over the mind of her husband in the cause of religion-and of submission to the will of God, is the Shunamite.-2 Kings iv. Who

can read that touching account of the death of her only son, and her own collected, composed, and energetic conduct on the occasion, without deep We find no overfeeling and high admiration? whelming or distracting grief, which prevented her from adopting the best, the only means for obtain

ing relief, but a faith which sustained her courage, and directed all her actions. Multitudes in every age and country where the story has gone, have been instructed by her language, and stimulated by her example; and amid the deepest sorrows, have echoed her few noble monosyllables in reply to the question, "Is it well with thee? With thy husband? With thy child? And she answered and said, 'IT IS WELL.""

And then what a pattern of fidelity, and piety, and kindness, do we find for female servants in the very next chapter to this, in that simple and beautiful story of the little Hebrew captive girl, who was nurse-maid in Naaman's family. All, and especially they who occupy a similar situation, may learn, by what weak and humble instruments God may accomplish the purposes of his mind, and work out the schemes of his providence. To how many a charity sermon in these remote days, has that incident furnished a text; and thus the little Jewish slave not only brought healing to her master, and a knowledge of the true God into Syria, but became a pattern to myriads of children in our own country.

Nor less to be admired, are the generosity and faith of the widow of Sarepta, whose barrel of meal and cruse of oil stand out in such relief, as among the brightest pictures of Old Testament history. In what a coruscation of glory does the name of Esther blaze forth upon us, for conjugal fidelity, piety uncorrupted by prosperity, and queenly in

fluence consecrated to the cause of true relig ion!

Now open the page of the New Testament. Is Christianity destitute of female worthies-women of holy renown? It would be very strange if it were. Strange, indeed, if his religion, who, though he was the Son of God, was born of woman, did not raise up many who should shine forth in all the mild and heavenly radiance of female piety.

Though, as I have said in the last sermon, we ascribe no Divine honors, and offer no idolatrous homage to the Virgin Mary, nor set her forth in the beauties of painting and sculpture; nor call her, with a singular mixture of absurdity and blasphemy, the MOTHER OF GOD-we revere her as blessed and exalted among women, to give birth to the humanity of Christ, the Saviour of the world; and ascribe to her every holy and general excellence as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a saint.* We cher

* In an age when Popery is lifting up its head in triumph and with hope, no fair opportunity should be lost to expose its pretensions and refute its errors. There is no part of this dreadful system more contrary to Scripture, or more insulting to God, than its Mariolatry, or worship of the Virgin Mary. She is styled" Mother of God;” “Queen of Seraphim, Saints, and Prophets;" "Advocate of Sinners;" " Refuge of Sinners;" "Gate of Heaven;""Queen of Heaven." And as the same titles are ascribed to her, or nearly so, as are ascribed to Christ; so is the same worship paid to her as to the Saviour. Churches are built to her honor; her shrines are crowded with devotees, enriched with their gifts, and adorned with their votive offerings. Prayers are offered to her-her praises are chanted